Adaptive Centralized Collection of Performance Management Data Using a Metamodel

1. A method of obtaining performance measurements via metamodels and metadata streamed from multiple types, models, and firmware versions of network devices coupled to a network, said method comprising: installing a generic collection agent on a server coupled to said network; retrieving, by said generic collection agent, said metamodels from said network devices; storing, by said server, said metamodels for access by said generic collection agent; streaming said performance measurements as metadata from said network devices to said generic collection agent, said metadata defined by said metamodels; and analyzing, by said generic collection agent, said performance measurements using said stored metamodels, wherein real-time parsing routines are used to create any missing or incomplete methods, objects or tools necessary to handle said performance measurements according to instructions defined in said metamodels.

2. A system of obtaining performance measurements via metamodels and metadata streamed from multiple types, models, and firmware versions of network devices coupled to a network, said system comprising: a generic collection agent installed on a server coupled to said network, said generic collection agent retrieving said metamodels from said network devices; said server storing said metamodels for access by said generic collection agent; said network devices streaming said performance measurements as metadata to said generic collection agent, said metadata defined by said metamodels; and said generic collection agent analyzing said performance measurements using said stored metamodels, wherein real-time parsing routines are used to create any missing or incomplete methods, objects or tools necessary to handle said performance measurements according to instructions defined in said metamodels.